Health workers' use of routine health information and related factors at public health institutions in Illubabor Zone, Western Ethiopia

Background Proper utilization of health data has paramount importance for health service management. However, it is less practiced in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess routine health information utilization and identify factors associated with it among health workers in the Illubabor zone, Western Ethiopia. Methods A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2021 with a total of 423 randomly selected health workers. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire that was developed based on the performance of routine information system management (PRISM) framework. We created composite variables for health workers' knowledge, attitude, abilities, and information utilization based on existing data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed and the statistical association between the outcome and independent variables was declared using 95% CI and a P < 0.05. Results About two-thirds or 279 health workers (66.0%, 95% CI 61.3, 70.4) had good health information utilization. Two-thirds of health workers think organizational decision-making culture (67.1%, 95% CI 62.6, 71.5) and facility managers' or supervisors' promotion of information use (65.5%, 95% CI 60.9, 69.9) are positive. Over half of health workers (57.0%, 95% CI 52.2, 61.6) have a positive attitude toward data management, and the majority (85.8%, 95% CI 82.2, 88.9) believe they are competent of performing routine data analysis and interpretation activities. Only about two-thirds of health workers (65.5%, 95% CI 60.9, 69.9) were proficient in data analysis and interpretation. Conclusions The use of routine health information was lower than the national target and data from other literatures. Unacceptably large number of health personnel did not use information. As a result, efforts should be made to increase health workers' data management knowledge and skills, as well as the organizational culture of data utilization. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-01881-y.

Health statistics HMIS /CHIS (Data collection, compilation, aggregation, transmission, storage, and / To plan preventive and promotive activities targeted to certain geographic areas To know their economic status of the population

To improve access and utilization of health services
To determine the behavior of clients/population group For disease surveillance (to control epidemic/disease outbreaks) No answer 175D What are the possible reason for collecting or using aggregated 'Geographical data or residence of patients, i.e., where they come from' data on a monthly or quarterly basis? (Select multiple) To use as denominator for calculating of indicators Follow standardized guideline on data recording, reporting and data quality checks

Train health workers and HITs on the standard HMIS guidelines
Mentorship and supervision on data quality, recording and reporting no answer 175G Describe at least three ways of ensuring the data quality relevant to your job classification/responsibilities.  198 I can use data for identifying performance gaps (e.g., service, program, managerial, ...) and its root cause Please rate your competence to accomplish the various RHIS activities on a scale from 0-10, where 0 is no competency and 10 is best. 0 ( incorrect answer)

Describe the data quality problem in this scenario
Each correct answer gets one point with a maximum score of 2 points (one for each criteria). If incorrect, the score is zero.

Potential reasons to the data quality problem
Each correct answer gets one point with a maximum score of 3 points. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The range would vary between 0 and 3.

Major activities to improve the data quality
Each correct answer gets one point with a maximum score of 5 points. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The overall raw score is obtained by adding all the scores. The range would vary between 0 Correct presentation of the line graph gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero 1 (1 answer is given) 2 (2 answer is given) 0 (no answer is given)

What does the following graph tell you about the FP method mix for new users in health center Y?
Each correct answer gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The overall raw score is obtained by adding all the scores. The range would vary between 0 and 2 https://kf.kobotoolbox.org/#/forms/aej8hQ9xpK2aJx9bSJvZ7J/edit 22/23 1 (if 1 answer is given) 0 (no correct answer is given)

203.3
The target for health center Y for new clients on FP for the year 2008 is 1,200 clients. How many new clients would the facility need to have each month if new clients were evenly distributed by month?
each correct answer gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The overall raw score is obtained by adding all the scores. The range would vary between 0 and 2. 1 0 204.1 Provide at least one use of above graph findings at Facility level: One or more correct answer(s) gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The range would vary between 0 and 1. 1 0 204.2 Provide at least one use of above graph findings at Community level: One or more correct answer(s) gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The range would vary between 0 and 1. 1 0

What is the malnutrition rate of boys?
A correct answer gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero.

(if one point is listed)
2 (if two point is listed) 0 (if no any point is listed)

What is the malnutrition rate of girls?
Scoring: A correct answer gets one point. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero 1 (if one point is listed) 2 (if two point is listed) 0 (if no any point is listed)

What information do you get by disaggregating the data by sex? How does this information help you in planning/improving your service delivery?
Each correct answer gets one point with a maximum score of 2 points. Wrong answers (or no answers) get a score of zero. The range would vary between 0 and 2.